Lee Vogel – Hermann Sons Not-So-Secret Weapon

In July 2001, I began working with an attorney who represented Hermann Sons and I soon came to know the people and the organization. Hermann Sons is a member owned, not-for-profit insurance company. It is a fraternal organization which supports two fine summer youth camps for boys and girls, dance classes and a scholarship program for college bound students, not to mention a wonderful retirement home.

Two of the people I came to know, and grow very fond of, were Grand Vice President-Fraternal Lee Vogel and his wife Bernice. This column is about Lee Vogel but it’s virtually impossible to write about Lee and his Hermann Sons endeavors without writing about Bernice as well. She has been at his side for many years and has worked as hard as Lee to promote the Hermann Sons way of life.

Lee spent time working in West Texas during one of our oil booms and he and I hit it off right away. We both tend to be outspoken, direct and to the point, so we have that in common and we are both driven to pursue our passions. Bernice puts up with us and sometimes, not so gently, jerks us back into line!

With Hermann Sons, Lee was first elected as a member of the Home for the Aged; was the first Fraternal Director and then became the first Grand Vice President-Fraternal. He organized the annual chili cook-off at the Hermann Sons Retirement Home, instituted the Grand Lodge Matching Fund Program which comes into play when a local lodge raises funds for a fire department or other worthwhile endeavor and the Grand Lodge matches those funds.

Lee was one of the organizers of Hermann Happiness, a family Fiesta event, which was enjoyed by San Antonians for 24 years. He served as Food Chairman, Chairman and Co-Chairman. As a result of his hard work, he was inducted into the elite group of the Order of the Cascarone, a part of the San Antonio Fiesta Commission.

Over the years, Hermann Sons, under Lee’s administration as Grand Vice President-Fraternal, has organized many events to help victims such those from the fires in Bastrop, floods in Houston and other towns, hurricanes in Galveston, the explosion in West. Additionally, food and money were raised for the San Antonio Food Bank. Another program that Lee instituted at Hermann Sons is the Hugs from Home that prepares care packages which are mailed to our military in war zones. That program is closest to his heart.

Lee is Past President of the Texas Fraternal Congress Youth Section and was appointed to the State Fraternal Committee of the National Fraternal Association.

When Lee retired in May, he had served on the Hermann Sons Executive Committee for 32 years. In all his years of service to this great organization, he never had an opponent in his elections. That speaks quite clearly to the fine job he did and the confidence the membership had in him.

In addition to his dedication to Hermann Sons, Lee Vogel served many years as both a volunteer firefighter and police officer in Hollywood Park. He has been a director of the San Antonio Livestock Association for 24 years. In 2007, he was elevated to Director Emeritus. He continues to be active with the Auction Committee and the School Tour Committee.

During Ray’s illness, there was not a week that passed that Lee wasn’t on the phone checking on Ray and on me. Those calls meant a lot to me.

Lee Vogel epitomizes service to community, giving back to society. While his successor, his long time assistant, Kim Krueger, will do an outstanding job as the new Grand Vice President-Fraternal, Lee will still be missed terribly by those of us who depended on his common sense approach, his wisdom and his fearless pursuit of what he believed to be right.

Lee’s selfless contributions to Hermann Sons and his community will live on long after we are gone. He has single handedly done more to promote the Hermann Sons motto of Friendship, Love & Loyalty than anyone I know. Lee and Bernice Vogel make a difference in this world every day. How many of us can say that? Thanks to you both for all that you have done and continue to do to make this world a better place.

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About Suzanne’s Blog

Suzanne Hildebrand, is the widow of retired SAPD Detective, retired District Attorney Criminal Investigator and Live Oak Mayor Ray Hildebrand who suffered a massive stroke in 2008 and died on July 23, 2010. Suzanne is the founder of MADD in Texas, was appointed to serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Education (TCLEOSE) by Governor Bill Clements, and currently serves on the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke appointed by Governor Rick Perry. She also served on the Bexar County Jail Population Committee. While Suzanne’s main passion is stroke care and issues, her blog also addresses patient care, grief, political issues and items of general interest.